Wokingham and Bracknell Times Giving Tree Appeal launches

Hundreds of disadvantaged children will get presents this year thanks to the kindness of the people of Wokingham and Bracknell

The Wokingham Mayors, organisers and charity representatives by this year's Giving Tree at Tesco in Finchampstead Road

Hundreds of disadvantaged children will have at least one present to open on Christmas morning after The Wokingham Times’ Giving Tree Appeal was launched on Saturday.

Charities and organisations joined Wokingham’s borough and town mayors at Tesco in Finchampstead Road, where the first Christmas tree is ready for generous shoppers to pick up a tag and donate a gift.

Gill McKernan, who works at Barnardos High Close School and co-ordinates the appeal, said: “The support for The Giving Tree has exceeded expectations with more venues coming on board this year.

“The people of Wokingham are very generous in supporting The Giving Tree.”

Although the appeal has been launched early this year, trees at other venues will go up in the coming weeks, with plenty of new places on board including Wokingham Library in Denmark Street.

Mrs McKernan added: “The children who benefit from the appeal are so grateful and it does make their Christmas special knowing someone is thinking of them.

“We are hoping to generate as many gifts as last year, if not more.”

The appeal has been running for more than 10 years and invites shoppers to pick up a tag from a Giving Tree, purchase the present and return the gift, unwrapped, to the place where they collected the tag.

Last year, more than 1,000 donated presents were delivered for children to open on Christmas Day.

Wokingham borough mayor Councillor UllaKarin Clark said: “It gives the very generous people of Wokingham borough a chance to contribute a happy Christmas for those children.

“The Giving Tree has become a tradition and I am very happy to support it.”

Cllr Martin Bishop, town mayor, added: “It is a very good idea that certainly benefits a lot of children. My wife and I will certainly be contributing.”

Charities benefiting from the appeal include Barnardos/Young Carers, Barnardos Fostering and Adoption, Dingley Play Group, Transform Housing, Home Start, Berkshire County Blind Society and All Saints Primary School, in Norreys Avenue.

Denis Murphy, chair of Home Start Wokingham, said: “There are plenty of families not coping with today’s complex society. We target families with at least one young child under five. There are parents who face difficulties for all kinds of reasons.”

Sue Maguire, family support worker from All Saints Primary School, added: “It is a fantastic scheme that benefits children from all backgrounds and helps families struggling over Christmas.

“It involves a lot of local charities and brings everyone together.”

Mrs McKernan thanked Helen Duncan, community champion at Tesco, for organising the launch and added Wokingham MP John Redwood is backing the scheme.